Page 18 of Smoldering Nights
He felt so bad for her; she looked nearly defeated.Then, as if she were a phoenix, she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath."Okay.I'll gather a few things.I'm afraid they'll need to be washed or I'll be a walking ad for fire protection."
He chuckled, "I have a washer and dryer in the condo, you're welcome to them."
She nodded her head."Thank you."
She pulled a suitcase from the closet and strode down a short hall to another room, which he assumed was her bedroom.He looked around her cute apartment and the way she decorated it.She had an eye for detail.The picture frames were painted to match the trim work around the doors and windows.She had a mix of older decorative items and newer ones.But they worked together.Design was never something he cared much about.If his condo hadn't already been decorated, it wouldn't have been done by him.
Izzy emerged with a suitcase wheeling behind her."I think I have most of what I need."
"We can always come back, but please don't come back unless someone is with you.Not until I can get the security cameras set up.I have help coming in the morning."
"Okay."
He slowly leaned down to help her with her suitcase and felt the sharp pain run across his ribs.He froze to breathe it out, and Izzy scolded."No, you don't.I can do this, you need to heal."
He righted himself and nodded.He hated being unable to do everyday things.
They descended the stairs, and she locked the door to her apartment.She looked around the room."Do you think I'll be able to come here tomorrow while you're installing cameras and begin cleaning up?"
"I think that's a great idea."
That put a smile on her face, and he was happy for it.She was a beautiful woman all the time, but when she smiled, she was a stunner.
He drove them to Sadie's place to pick up her van and deposited it at the flower shop.Then he drove her home to his place.
"How about we call the Sandbar and order dinner?I'll have it delivered."
"That sounds great.I am getting hungry."
She pulled out her phone and swiped a few times."I'll have chicken wings in garlic parmesan sauce, please."
He nodded as he dialed the number.It was a speed dial call for him.
Later, when the house was still and the lights were low, he stood in the doorway to her room.She had just showered, and the aroma of her soap hung in the air.His place never smelled so good.
“You need anything?”
She shook her head, voice soft.“No.Just… maybe don’t go far.”
"I'll be in my room next door.The alarms are set for the night.You're safe here."
"Thank you."
He turned to leave, "Mitch?"
"Yeah."He turned to see her in the dim lamplight of her room."Thank you for everything.I don't know how I'll repay you."
He shook his head."No need for repayment.I want to make sure you're safe.You've become important to me."
Her lips turned up into a soft smile."You've become important to me, too."
Chapter8
Izzy woke to a soft humming sound.For a moment, she didn’t remember where she was.Then the scent of Mitch’s place hit her: clean linens, a faint trace of his soap, and the rich, earthy aroma of coffee brewing somewhere close by.The window shades were pulled, but there were motion sensors on them, which is what helped her fall asleep last night.More than once, she considered snuggling up against Mitch's strong, firm body, but she thought that was far too forward.He'd think she was slutty.And she didn't want him to think anything like that about her.Mostly because she was not a slut.But his opinion meant a lot.
She sat up slowly.The events of the night before came rushing back: someone trying to break into Sadie's place, the terror, Mitch’s arms around her, his promise that she’d be safe here.The feeling that she was safe.The security he had set up more than compensated for any fear she had.
And she believed he meant it.He wanted her to be safe.
